Charles Berling, Ching-wen Chia, Hikari Ishida

Emperor penguins overcome daunting obstacles in order to return to their breeding grounds for mating season. This tells the story of one year in the life of a flock -- focusing on one couple in partic...( read more  read more... )ular -- as they trek across the Antarctic on an annual journey that invokes just about every major life experience: from birth to death, from dating to mating, from comedy to tragedy, and from love to fighting for survival.

Flixster Users

76% liked it

77,616 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

159 critics

G, 1 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: Luc Jacquet

Release Date: June 24, 2005

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DVD Release Date: November 29, 2005

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Stats: 5,227 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,227)


  • April 27, 2009
    Winner of the Best feature documentary at the 2006 Academy Awards, "March of the Penguins" is a wonderful story about the life of penguins.

    The documentary is nicely photographed and some very nice visuals are shown on the screen. The underwater scenes are beautiful.

    What I di...( read more)d not like about the doc was the voices, in other words the 'acting'. I didn't see the original but the dubbed version so I hope that the dubbing was the reason it didn't work for me.

    "March of the Penguins" offers excitement and sadness. Everytime images of dead baby penguins were shown, I had difficulties to look at it. They're so gaddamn cute! You'd want them to be not harmed but the nature can be cruel... very cruel.
  • March 20, 2009
    Heartwarming, heartwrenching, etc. What I mainly remember a few years after watching this, though, is that penguins have a stunningly inefficient system of producing offspring.
  • December 1, 2008
    As tragic and moving as the human condition except it's penguins.
  • July 1, 2008
    I thought this was going to be a cartoon but this turned out to be a short but interesting documentry about penguins in the Antartic.
  • May 19, 2008
    and so the penguin fascination begins
  • November 6, 2009
    I didn't catch this film when it originally came out, and had to settle for a home flat-screen viewing. I am sure watching it on the big screen would have added to the beauty of the cinematography, but the film was intriguing nonetheless. It was a great reminder of how a simple s...( read more)tory, when executed well can be so powerful and thought-provoking.

    The film follows the annual treacherous journey of emperor penguins in the South Pole. The adversity these magniicent creatures face and overcome is inspirational and heartwarming to watch. The shots of the arctic are endlessly fascinating and the narration by Morgan Freeman is engaging.

    I thoroughly enjoyed this film and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nature film. Along with Winged Migration, Microcosmos, and Planet Earth, it is one of the best feature-length nature documentaries. Don't miss it!
  • November 2, 2009
    a very good documentary
  • November 1, 2009
    An absolutely beautiful, moving, breathtaking, and satisfying piece of filmmaking that I think will leave most moviegoers stunned.
  • October 27, 2009
    Comercial! or stupid! :|
  • October 14, 2009
    Hopefully everyone is thinking of the impacts of global warming after this movie. These penguins survive because of the harshness of the weather where they nest. With global warming, their nest will not be as remote from the edge of the ocean as well as the weather will not keep ...( read more)away the predators. Thanks to human's greed, we could be seeing the extinction of many species right before our eyes.

Critic Reviews


August 5, 2005
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Documentaries are the surprise hits of the summer, and none is scoring bigger than Luc Jacquet's wondrous look at the emperor penguins of Antarctica. full review

August 2, 2005
David Edelstein, NPR's Fresh Air

The movie easily transcends the 'Isn't-that-amazing?' animal genre. full review

August 2, 2005
Kurt Loder, MTV

'March of the Penguins' is worth seeing, and short enough not to be a chore ... could be the finest penguin documentary you'll ever have seen. full review

July 10, 2005
Marcy Dermansky, About.com

Jacquet manipulates emotions with a zeal that seems unnecessary. full review

July 7, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

When they fall over, they do it with a remarkable lack of style. And for all the walking they do, they're ungainly waddlers. Yet they are perfect in their way, with sleek coats, grace in the water and... full review

July 5, 2005
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

There's more drama, and more heartbreak, in March of the Penguins than in most movies that are actually scripted to tug at our feelings. full review

June 24, 2005
Claudia Puig, USA Today

March of the Penguins captivates with its straightforward but powerful story of dogged determination, survival against harsh odds and sacrifice. full review

June 24, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Through the narration and editing that emphasizes the human-like behaviour of the penguins, March of the Penguins sets up sentimental expectations that are abruptly undermined by scenes of nature's br... full review

June 23, 2005
Nick Schager, Filmcritic.com

A loving ode to the life-altering (and at times life-threatening) dedication and devotion of parents full review

View more March of the Penguins (La Marche de l'empereur) reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • mamamiasweetpeaches
    October 19, 2006
    I cryed so much during this movie! I loved it though. those penguins were an inspiration. I will never complain about my life as a human again!
  • jbpelican
    August 9, 2006
    When i watch a doco its usually about a massive nile crocodile nabbing any beast dumb enough to take a drink. But i enjoyed this immensly, definately worth renting. Laugh as they slide over the ice, gasp as their predators attack, smile as the hatchlings enter the water for the very first time.

    Justins Best Bit: Fat, feathery blobs tripping over themselves and sliding along.
  • AngelBlueKim
    June 30, 2006
    *Tears* this movie is so0o inspiring! it's tough to be a penguin >.< [Cute baby Penguins]^_-

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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  • Oscar-winning documentary follows the instinctual journey of the emperor penguin over harsh, frozen tundra on a quest to create new life?  Answer »
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